The world is always changing with new trends and technology coming out all the time. However, certain throwback items have made a surprising comeback. Generation Alpha (children born from 2010 onwards) are loving these retro items.
From tech gadgets to vintage toys, many retro items have a timeless appeal, proving that some things never go out of style! Here are 16 throwback items that have crossed generational lines to become beloved by Generation Alpha.
1. Polaroid Cameras
Instant photography has regained popularity. Generation Alpha is loving colorful Polaroid cameras, which are sold at retail stores like Target and Walmart. These throwback items offer all the fun of taking a selfie, complete with filters. However, you get a tangible keepsake that immediately prints out in real-time.
2. Vinyl Records
Thanks to apps like Spotify and Apple Music, we have access to a library or content. However, Generation Alpha is loving to collect vinyl records, whether to display on their walls or to play on a vintage player.
3. Classic Board Games
Board games are a fun way to spend time with friends and family. Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue are making a comeback, providing timeless fun and pulling Generation Alpha away from their screens.
4. Retro Game Consoles
When it comes to throwback items, there are some that offer hours of entertainment. Retro gaming consoles, for instance, have become popular among young gamers, They love picking up classics like Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64 and Sonic on the Sega.
5. Vintage Sneakers
Converse, Air Jordans, and Vans are getting a new life with Generation Alpha. They’re seeking out sneakers from the 80s and 90s to add to their own closets at home. The more worn in the shoe, the better!
6. Roller Skates
Inline skating and rollerblading are back! Some children are enjoying the retro vibe and exercise of putting on a good pair of skates. Speed skating is also rising in popularity with Generation Alpha.
7. Cassette Tapes
Like vinyl, cassettes offer a certain nostalgia that’s now appreciated by the youngest audiophiles in collector circles. It’s hard to find a cassette player out there, but kids and teens enjoy the retro look of these mixtapes.
8. Flared Jeans
Many retro items pop in and out of fashion trends. For instance, flared jeans are making a serious comeback! These denim pants were popular in the 60s and then again in the 90s, and now they’re all the rage among Generation Alpha.
9. View-Master
You may be surprised to find View-Masters being sold at stores once again. These classic toys offer viewers 3D views of landscapes, planets, animals, and many other fun images. Some View-Masters are even filled with other throwback items, making it double the retro fun!
10. Comic Books
With the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many youngsters are getting into comic books again. They are seeking out old editions of comics featuring beloved characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Thor.
11. Slinky
Before tablets and smartphones, kids found entertainment in tangible items like the Slinky. These toys, which were invented in 1943, showed physics at work by “walking” down a set of stairs. Today, you can buy a Slinky in any color. There are even giant versions of this toy on the market!
12. Claw Clips
Do you have long hair? You’ve probably used a claw clip at some point to keep it out of your eyes. Generation Alpha has embraced these retro items in their own fashion. Checkerboard print claw clips are particularly popular.
13. Rubik’s Cube
From the fidget spinner to the pop bubble craze, kids love an item they can play around with to help them focus. This could explain why the retro Rubik’s Cube is making a sudden comeback. The new generation appreciates the brain-teasing fun of putting this puzzle together.
14. Choker Necklaces
Back in the 90s, the cool, popular girls were the ones wearing choker necklaces to school. Now these plastic necklaces are popular with girls and boys in Generation Alpha.
15. Fanny Packs
Once a fashion faux pas, fanny packs are now a trendy accessory among Generation Alpha.
Whether they wear their fanny pack around their waist or over their shoulder, kids love the practicality and retro look of these throwback items.
16. Bucket Hats
The 90s are considered retro among Generation Alpha. They love Nirvana, choker necklaces, flared jeans, and of course, bucket hats! Fuzzy bucket hats in particular are experiencing a second life among the youth.
Call it a Comeback
These throwback items make older generations feel nostalgia, but they’re also popular among kids 13 and younger. Who knows? Maybe you can bond with your children over some of these retro favorites. They may start thinking of you as cool!
Read More:
The New 50s, 60s, and 70s: 12 Exciting Things That Only Older People Know About
10 Eighties Toys That Are Worth a Lot of Money Today
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.